Hair dryer with audible unplug alarm

Abstract

A hair dryer that includes a case having a handle and a barrel, and a fan positioned in the barrel and coupled to an electric motor for blowing hair through the barrel. An electrical resistance heating element is disposed in the barrel for generating heat to dry hair, and an electrical cord extends from the handle and terminates in a plug adapted to be removably received in a utility outlet for supplying power to the hair dryer. An operator switch is carried by the handle and connected in series with at least the electric motor across the power lines of the cord. An audible alarm is connected across the switch and in series with the motor across the power conductors of the plug and cord, such that placement of the switch in an open condition, with the plug inserted in a utility outlet, results in current flow through the alarm device and generation of an audible alarm signal.

We claim: 
     
       1. In an electrical appliance adapted to be powered by utility power and including a power plug adapted to be removably inserted into a utility power outlet, and switch means coupled to said plug and responsive to an operator for selectively applying and removing utility power to and from said appliance, alarm apparatus for warning an operator to remove said plug from the utility outlet when power is removed from the appliance by said switch means, said apparatus comprising: alarm means carried by said appliance and responsive to application of electrical power for providing an audible alarm signal, and   circuit means coupled to said plug and to said switch means for applying electrical power from said plug to said alarm means when power is removed from said appliance by said switch means and said plug is inserted in a utility outlet, and for removing power from said alarm means when power is applied to said appliance by said switch means,   said switch means comprising switch contact means having a closed condition for applying electrical power from said plug to said appliance and an open condition for removing power from said appliance, and   said alarm means and said circuit means being connected in series across said switch contact means such that closure of said switch contact means short circuits said alarm means and said circuit means for removing power from said alarm means.   
     
     
       2. The electrical appliance set forth in claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes means for limiting current through said circuit means and said alarm means when said switch means is open so as to prevent energization of said appliance. 
     
     
       3. The electrical appliance set forth in claim 2 wherein said alarm means comprises a buzzer. 
     
     
       4. A hair dryer that includes: a case having a handle and a barrel,   a fan positioned in said barrel and coupled to an electric motor for blowing air through said barrel,   electrical resistance heating means in said barrel,   an electrical cord extending from said handle and terminating in a plug adapted to be removably received in a utility outlet for supplying electrical utility power to said hair dryer,   electrical operator switch means carried by said handle and coupled to said cord, said switch means having an open condition in which power is removed from said motor and heating means, and a closed condition in which electrical power at said cord from said plug is applied at least to said motor, and   an alarm comprising an audible alarm device and circuit means connecting said device across said switch in series with said motor across said plug, such that placement of said switch means in said open condition with said plug inserted in a utility outlet results in current flow through said alarm device and generation of an audible alarm signal, while placement of said switch in said closed condition short circuits said alarm device and applies power directly from said plug and cord at least to said motor.   
     
     
       5. The hair dryer set forth in claim 4 further comprising an aperture in said handle, said alarm device being positioned within said handle adjacent to said aperture.